Artists: Judas Priest, Nevermore

London: Hammersmith Eventim Apollo

Date: 21 September 2026

It’s fantastic to see Judas Priest play the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo with its long history with Rock and Metal music. It is definitely superior in terms of being able to see the show (compared with most areas in a big arena like the 02).

I guess, however, that this gig almost didn’t happen because Ian Hill, original member of Priest, missed his first show in 56 years due to a tendon injury being incurred just before the show. Davey Rimmer (Uriah Heep and member of Priest guitarist Ritchie Faulkner’s own band Elegant Weapons) stepped in and saved the day.

The support band was Nevermore, back after fifteen years off. Berzan Ozen did a great job as the new vocalist, physically imposing, with great stage presence and a rich voice. Their material ranged from the melodic to out and out head-banging frenzy with squealing, racing, finger tapping solos. They were a popular choice, evidenced by the crowd surfing and number of their T-shirts in the audience and get a great reaction. Whilst the vintage crowd couldn’t quite keep up with the band in the head-banging stakes, they were certainly with them in spirit.

Now in their sixth decade, it is fantastic to see Judas Priest still so strong and popular. After such a length of time the band has an impossible number of songs to choose from, but they went by and large for the greatest hits set for which the crowd was begging. There was a roar of anticipation as the curtain fell. The electronic screens showed the artwork from all the much loved albums, as well as old film footage that underlined the band’s roots. Black and white film excerpts showing Britain’s industrial past played behind the first track ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’’. In ‘Metal Gods’ the underlying narrative was giving a new and highly topical spin with graphics of sinister marching robots.

Rob Halford was looking well and there’s no doubt he can deliver the goods, hitting all the high notes and maintaining the impossibly long ones. He commanded the audience majestically in a Freddie Mercury a capella Q and A style singing session with the crowd mid-set. He was still sprightly enough in ‘Hell Bent For Leather’ to ride his motorbike on stage for a must loved and traditional part of the show that gets a huge cheer! His amazing wardrobe of studded long leather and denim waistcoats and an array of patches courtesy of Ray Brown is also an important element of the whole experience.

It is amazing also how good the band sound as a whole, given that Davey Rimmer stepped in on bass at the last moment. Rimmer was no doubt ultra concerned, having taken on this daunting proposition, not to let the side down, and he didn’t. He had marked himself a spot on the stage of about two foot wide with masking tape and he stayed within that comfort zone religiously. He must have been concerned not to disrupt any choreography or bump into anyone else. At the end of the gig Halford gave him a huge hug for saving the bacon. Halford is the star of the show, but Judas Priest cannot play without bass! It would have been a tragedy and disastrous end to the ‘Faithkeepers’ tour if the Hammersmith date, the last and pinnacle date of the tour, could not have happened. Rimmer is the hero of the hour!

Also indispensable, of course, are the guitars, now delivered by Faulkner and Andy Sneap. They provide the flashy shapes and breathtakingly fast solos that the Priest material requires, allowing us all to enjoy the Priest material as we remember it on the records and supporting Halford to allow it still to be played to the faithful. Playing with their teeth, executing synchronised moves and the sheer visual splendour of two flying Vs held aloft at the end of ‘Electric Eye’ in a cross shape, with Halford holding them together in the middle like a skull and crossbones - its so much more than just great guitar! Never boring, keeping it moving and complementing Halford to bring us the fabulous Priest extravaganza. No reasonable man could be disappointed.

Everyone has their favourite Judas Priest song. ‘Breaking The Law’ makes a surprisingly early appearance in the set. ‘Turbo Lover’ has everyone singing to the enormously phallic graphics of gear sticks being pulled. Shots of the crowd are projected onto the screen for ‘Living After Midnight’ to bring the audience literally right into the show! I defy anyone not to love these classics and to enjoy seeing them played so well.

Personally, I loved seeing the band in a smaller venue rather than a stadium, and it was good to ring the changes, while all the traditions of the band were upheld. There’s no reason why the band cannot run as long as the original members can physically manage it. Halford showed very little signs of slowing down tonight. Hopefully Hill will recover quickly. The band all gathered with Hill who must have been watching in the wings at the front of the stage to say goodbye, announcing “the Priest will be back”! Only one word appropriate to that: “Amen!”.

Setlist: You've Got Another Thing Comin' / Metal Gods / Breaking the Law / The Ripper / The Sentinel / Desert Plains / Lightning Strike / Turbo Lover / Steeler / Delivering the Goods / Panic Attack / Victim of Changes / No Surrender / Painkiller / The Hellion / Electric Eye / Hell Bent for Leather / Living After Midnight

Review: Dawn Osborne